Almost 750 beds were available in nursing homes at the height of the overcrowding crisis but the HSE did not engage with the sector.

That was despite a commitment from the Department of Health last July that it would work with Nursing Homes Ireland as part of its winter planning process.

Overcrowding reached record levels in recent weeks, with 612 patients waiting in wards or on trolleys for a bed.

And NHI chief Tadhg Daly called on the Joint Committee on Health to question the HSE on its alleged failure to contact his organisation over the availability of 742 beds.

He said: “Despite a Department of Health commitment last July that the HSE would engage with our sector as part of its winter planning process, it is startling no engagement was undertaken with our sector in advance of the crisis that emanated.

“At the height of the emergency crisis on January 5, NHI notified the Department of Health and HSE that 742 beds were available across Ireland within nursing homes.

“At the end of December, Minister Harris had proclaimed 436 patients classified as delayed discharged in acute hospitals as being a new low and representing ‘hugely welcome progress’.

“Yet a week later our A&E’s and acute hospitals were plunged into an unprecedented crisis, while hundreds of beds stood available in nursing homes to givestep-down or long-term care.”

However, a HSE spokesman disputed the claims, saying it is in “constant communication” with the NHI over nursing home bed availability.

He added: “The HSE nationally approves 167 applications on average weekly for patients to move to private nursing homes for transitional care for three to four weeks on average.

“Some factors must be taken into account including where private nursing homes are needing top up charges over and above the rate approved through the Nursing Home Support Scheme.

“Also there are some nursing homes who may decline the provision of service to the patient due to their level of complexity.”